Is Your Personal Alarm Compliant?
Article overview:
A personal alarm is a wearable device that alerts others when the wearer needs help - either by alerting the wearer’s predefined emergency contacts or a Customer Care Centre. Personal alarms provide peace of mind, especially for those who live alone, have medical conditions, or work in isolated or dangerous settings. However, using non-compliant personal alarms can put you at risk than safety.
To find out more about personal alarms and how to choose the best one for your needs, read our article:
What are Compliant Personal Alarms?
When choosing a personal alarm, you want to make sure that it complies with the standards and guidelines set by the proper authoritative bodies in Australia and New Zealand.
In New Zealand, the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) regulates the use and selling of medical alarms. In Australia, the regulation of personal alarms is primarily the responsibility of the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). The ACMA sets guidelines and standards for the manufacture and operation of personal alarms and ensures that these devices comply with relevant regulatory requirements.
The provider must also register in the National Equipment Registration System (NERS) database as a responsible supplier. Without this registration, the alert system might be non-compliant and unsafe.
Furthermore, personal alarms must comply with the AS 4607, the Australian standard for personal response systems. Compliance with this standard ensures that the device meets certain technical and performance requirements.
In order to be compliant with the AS 4607 standard, personal alarms should:
Have 4G Capability
A compliant personal alarm should have 4G capability. It allows for faster and more reliable communication with emergency response centres. If the individual travels frequently or spends time outside their home, they can summon help from anywhere.
Personal alarms that have 4G capability have high-quality voice calls, which can be important in a medical emergency where clear communication is essential. They also use advanced encryption and other security protocols to protect data transmitted over the network, which can be important for ensuring the privacy and security of medical data.
Lastly, they have advanced features such as GPS tracking or fall detection or can use GPS watch and fall detection watch which can provide additional peace of mind for the individual and their caregivers.
Have GPS location tracking
GPS location tracking allows emergency responders to quickly and accurately identify the user's location in case of an emergency. This is particularly important if the user is unable to communicate their location or if they are in an unfamiliar place.
For users with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, wandering and getting lost can be a major concern. Having GPS location tracking in their personal alarm can provide peace of mind for caregivers and family members, as they can quickly locate the user if they wander away from home.
For emergency responders, having the user's location can help them respond more quickly and efficiently, potentially reducing the time it takes for them to arrive on the scene.
Have a SIM card
The SIM card connects the device to the cellular network and transmits alerts to a Customer Care Centre or a nominated emergency contact
When choosing a personal medical alarm, consider the type of wireless technology used by the device and whether a SIM card is necessary. If a SIM card is required, ensure that the service provider offers reliable network coverage in the individual's area and that the device is compatible with the provider's network. Additionally, consider the cost of the service plan and any ongoing costs associated with using the SIM card.
Can detect falls
According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults. It can also result in fractures, head injuries, and other serious health problems.
A personal alarm or a personal alarm watch that can detect falls can provide additional protection for older adults and individuals with medical conditions that increase their risk of falls. These devices typically use sensors or other technology to detect when a fall has occurred and automatically alert a monitoring centre or caregiver, even if the individual is unable to activate the alarm themselves.
It can be particularly vital for individuals who live alone or who may not be able to reach a phone or other device to call for help in the event of a fall. By detecting falls and automatically summoning help, a personal alarm can help ensure that individuals receive prompt medical attention and reduce the risk of serious complications or long-term health effects.
Overall, the ability to detect falls is an important feature to consider when choosing a personal alarm, particularly for older adults and individuals with medical conditions that increase their risk of falls.
Should be monitored by a trained professional
A monitored personal alarm ensures help can be summoned quickly and appropriately during an emergency. That's because it is connected to a monitoring centre staffed by trained professionals who can receive alerts from the device and respond quickly to provide assistance.
Monitoring is important because it ensures that someone is available to respond to an emergency at all times, even if the individual is unable to summon help themselves. For example, if an individual experiences a medical emergency or fall and is unable to activate the alarm themselves, the monitoring centre can still receive an alert from the device and dispatch emergency services or contact a caregiver.
In addition to providing prompt assistance during an emergency, monitoring gives added peace of mind for the individual using the personal alarm and their caregivers. Knowing that someone is available to respond to an emergency at all times helps reduce anxiety and improves the quality of life. It also ensures that the device is functioning properly and can detect any malfunctions or issues that may compromise the safety or security of the user.
Suggested reading: Monitored vs. Self-Monitored Personal Alarms
Potential Risks of Using Non-Compliant Alarm Devices
While there are many benefits from using a compliant personal alarm, there are serious implications in using a non-compliant device. Not only can it put your safety and well-being at risk in case of an emergency, but it can be worse. Here are some of the possible implications:
Inability to call for help
Personal alarm systems are designed to provide a quick and easy way for users to call for help in an emergency. However, if the system is not compliant with relevant standards and regulations, it may not be able to connect to emergency services or communicate with the monitoring centre effectively.
This can leave the user vulnerable in an emergency situation, as they may not be able to get the help they need in a timely manner. It's important to ensure that any personal alarm system you use is compliant with relevant standards and regulations and that it is regularly tested and maintained to ensure it is functioning properly.
Delayed response time
If the personal alarm system is not compliant, the monitoring centre may not receive the alert in a timely manner, leading to delayed response times.
A delayed response time can be particularly dangerous in an emergency situation, as it can mean that the person in need of help may not receive it in time. That's why it's important to ensure that any personal alarm system you use is compliant with relevant standards and regulations and that it is regularly tested and maintained to ensure it is functioning properly.
In addition, it's important to make sure that you or your loved ones know how to use the personal alarm system properly, and that you have a clear understanding of the procedures that the monitoring centre follows in the event of an emergency. This can help ensure that any alerts are responded to quickly and effectively.
False alarms
Non-compliant personal alarm systems may be more likely to trigger false alarms, which can lead to unnecessary emergency responses and waste of resources.
False alarms can occur for a variety of reasons, such as system malfunctions or user errors. However, a non-compliant personal alarm system may be more prone to false alarms due to poor design, inadequate testing, or other issues.
False alarms can be costly and disruptive, as they may result in emergency services being dispatched unnecessarily. This can tie up valuable resources that could be needed elsewhere, and it can also cause unnecessary stress and inconvenience for the person who triggered the alarm.
To avoid false alarms, the device should be regularly tested and maintained to ensure it is functioning properly. It's also important to make sure that you or your loved ones know how to use the personal alarm system properly, and that you take steps to minimise the risk of false alarms, such as avoiding accidental activation of the system.
Inaccurate location tracking
If the personal alarm system is not compliant, it may not be able to accurately track the user's location, which can lead to delays in emergency response.
Accurate location tracking is critical in an emergency situation, as it can help emergency services locate the user quickly and efficiently. If the personal alarm system is not compliant, it may not have the necessary location tracking features or may not be able to communicate location information effectively. This can lead to delays in emergency response and can make it more difficult for emergency services to locate the user.
To ensure accurate location tracking, it's important to ensure that any personal alarm system you use is compliant with relevant standards and regulations. This can help ensure that the system has the necessary location-tracking features and that it is capable of communicating location information effectively. It's also important to make sure that you or your loved ones understand how to use the personal alarm system properly and that you have a clear understanding of the procedures that the monitoring centre follows in the event of an emergency.
Reduced functionality
Non-compliant personal alarm systems may lack important features such as fall detection, which can put the user at risk in case of an emergency.
Fall detection is an important feature in personal alarm systems, particularly for older adults or people with mobility issues, who may be more prone to falls. If the personal alarm system is not compliant, it may not have the necessary sensors or software to detect falls or other emergencies, which can leave the user vulnerable.
To ensure that the personal alarm system you use has the necessary features, such as fall detection, it's important to choose a system that is compliant with relevant standards and regulations. This can help ensure that the system has the necessary sensors and software to detect falls and other emergencies and that it is capable of communicating this information effectively to the monitoring centre.
How to Ensure You Are Purchasing a Compliant Personal Alarm
A compliant personal alarm ensures that you have reliable and effective support in an emergency, which can help ensure the safety of the user. It also gives you and your loved ones peace of mind knowing that you have a functional and safe device in place.
Here are several steps you can take to ensure a compliant personal alarm system:
1. Research: Do your research on personal emergency response systems and make a list of features that are important to you, such as fall detection, GPS tracking, and two-way communication.
2. Check for compliance: Look for personal emergency response systems that are compliant with relevant standards and regulations.
3. Check reviews: Look for reviews of the personal emergency response system from other users to see if there are any common issues or complaints.
4. Ask for recommendations: Ask for recommendations from healthcare professionals, family members, or friends who have experience with personal emergency response systems.
5. Compare options: Compare different personal emergency response systems based on features, price, and customer support to find the best fit for your needs.
6. Test and maintain: Once you have purchased a personal emergency response system, make sure to test it regularly and maintain it according to the manufacturer's instructions to ensure that it is functioning properly.
Are Tunstall’s Personal Alarms and Products Compliant?
As a world-leading provider of Connected Care and Connected Health solutions, Tunstall’s products meet the highest industry standards, including the AS 4607 standard and ISO 9001 certification. Furthermore, our products comply with local regulations and have a strong focus on quality and customer satisfaction.
Tunstall Healthcare is committed to ensuring that its products and services meet relevant industry standards and regulations, including those related to healthcare, telecommunications, and consumer protection. Tunstall Healthcare has implemented policies and procedures that are aligned with these standards and regulations to ensure that its products and services are safe, reliable, and effective.
In Australia, Tunstall Healthcare operates in compliance with the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) regulations, which govern the use of wireless communication devices in Australia. Tunstall Healthcare's personal alarm systems have been tested and certified by the ACMA to ensure compliance with these regulations.
Tunstall Healthcare is also a member of the industry body Leading Age Services Australia (LASA), which represents providers of aged care services in Australia. LASA provides guidance and support to its members on regulatory and compliance matters, and Tunstall Healthcare participates in LASA's activities to ensure that its products and services meet the needs of the aged care sector in Australia.
Overall, Tunstall Healthcare is committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety, and compliance in its products and services, and works closely with regulatory bodies and industry associations to ensure that it is meeting these standards.
Learn more about Tunstall’s commitment to quality here: https://www.tunstallhealthcare.com.au/industry-standards
Keep reading: Can I Wear a Personal Alarm with My Pacemaker?
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